On Sunday, Oct. 18, more than 10,000 people attended the inaugural Kansas City Walk Now for Autism at Kansas Speedway in Kansas, double the expected attendance for the event. Walkers on 289 teams raised $270,000, exceeding the fundraising goal by 80%.

As the opening ceremonies were about to begin, there were thousands milling around the venue, and a sea of cars was still working their way into the parking lot. This vision was the true realization of the strength and power of the autism community within Kansas City. During the opening ceremonies, Natalie Clark, who is visually challenged, performed the national anthem. Following her performance, Jimmy Conrad, captain of the Kansas City Wizards Professional Soccer team and an active member of Athletes Against Autism, spoke. Ponch, a DJ from Mix 93.3 FM in Kansas City, and the parent of a child on the spectrum, pumped up the crowd just before the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Young walkers enjoy the sensory stations provided by the autism professionals at ABC'nD Autism Center.

Children enjoyed meeting Geoffrey the Giraffe from Toys”R”Us and Dexter the Dinosaur from T-Rex Restaurant and snacking on wonderful food including hot dogs, mac & cheese and chips, also provided by T-Rex Restaurant. Radio Disney kept the crowd on its feet with its DJ services, music, dancers and entertainment. There was an extensive children's activity tent, consisting of numerous sensory stations and activities provided by the autism professionals at ABC'nD Autism Center, physical activity stations provided by Debbie Howard's Gym, and arts and crafts supplies and activities provided by Fun Express and Wonderscope. Children also had fun with the two large bounce houses on site.

Special thanks to the sponsors who made the Walk possible, especially Meyers Companies & Tom and Winnie Davis, who also hosted a table within the resource fair and passed out water bottles. Other generous contributors included Camp Center Stage, The Thompson Foundation, GEICO, Aquila, AnalyzeDirect, Enterprise Bank, VML, J.M. Neil, The Commerce Trust Company. Team photos, with the official Kansas Speedway Pace Car as the backdrop, were donated by the professional photographers of Lifetouch. Equal Chance Education Consulting, LLC and Children's Mercy Hospital, Section of Developmental and Behavioral Sciences not only made a financial contribution, but also hosted a resource fair table.

The resource fair featured 25 participating companies and organizations including Equal Chance Education Consulting, LLC; Camp Encourage; Families Together; KC Spectrum Magazine; Missouri Governor's Council on Disabilities; Sensory Learning Center of Blue Springs; Helpers, Inc.; The Great Plains Laboratory; Wellness Chiropractic; Children's Mercy Hospital; Section of Developmental and Behavioral Sciences and The Thompson Foundation.

Because the Kansas City Walk is truly a bi-state initiative, involving both Kansas and Missouri, there were two Autism Votes booths on hand, representing each state and its legislative issues.

Special thanks go to Walk Chair Jennifer Smith Currier for making the inaugural Kansas City Walk such a success.

Visit the Kansas City Walk page or go to the Walk Now for Autism site to find a Walk in your area.